This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6937900.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ministers to be briefed over FMD Ministers to be briefed over FMD
(about 3 hours later)
NI Executive ministers are due to get a report on the foot-and-mouth crisis later. Northern Ireland ministers are to be updated on the foot-and-mouth crisis.
First Minister Ian Paisley, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew will be at Stormont for the briefing. The first and deputy first ministers as well as the agriculture minister will attend the Stormont briefing.
Other ministers are expected to join the conference by telephone. It comes after chief veterinary officer Bert Houston lobbyed EU officials to ensure NI remained exempt from the UK ban on meat and dairy exports.
It will update ministers on measures to prevent the disease spreading to NI and attempts to safeguard the export trade of the local agri/food industry. He also pressed for further relaxation of the certification requirements.Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said there were still challenges.
"The collective veterinary judgement is that it is too early to consider any immediate change to certification requirements, but we will have the opportunity to re-open this at the next meeting scheduled in a fortnight's time," she said.
"To assist us in clearing problems with other countries, Defra will be contacting all EU member state CVOs (chief veterinary officers) to explain the position and set up contacts to assist in resolving any problems. "
Ms Gildernew said there were still challenges ahead
During Thursday's briefing, ministers will be updated on measures to prevent the disease spreading to Northern Ireland and attempts to safeguard the export trade of the local agri/food industry.
Northern Ireland is excluded from EU restrictions banning livestock and dairy from the UK, which will continue until 25 August.Northern Ireland is excluded from EU restrictions banning livestock and dairy from the UK, which will continue until 25 August.
Culling has been ordered on a third farm in Surrey, next to the second farm already affected, on suspicion that the disease could be developing there.Culling has been ordered on a third farm in Surrey, next to the second farm already affected, on suspicion that the disease could be developing there.
On Wednesday, the first minister said he had spoken to the Foreign Office about the difficulties encountered by some NI firms shipping meat and dairy products abroad. First Minister Ian Paisley has already spoken to the Foreign Office about the difficulties encountered by some Northern Ireland firms shipping meat and dairy products abroad.
Disinfectant mats are being used as a precaution againt the disease
A shipment of pork from County Tyrone was stopped from entering Japan and a local dairy company claimed Germany had refused its produce.A shipment of pork from County Tyrone was stopped from entering Japan and a local dairy company claimed Germany had refused its produce.
Dale Farm said orders were at risk after what it claimed was Germany's decision to ban all UK milk products.Dale Farm said orders were at risk after what it claimed was Germany's decision to ban all UK milk products.
Difficulties were also being encountered in shipping dairy products to South American markets.Difficulties were also being encountered in shipping dairy products to South American markets.
The pork stopped in Japan was sent from Grampian Foods in Cookstown.
Hugh McReynolds, the firm's managing director, said it was not good news for Northern Ireland's pig farmers.
Grampian said it was also experiencing difficulties in shipping its products to the US and Germany.